Rumorpile: BMW’s Diesel Plans On A Powerpoint Slide

This past week, a picture of a slideshow made its way onto the VWVortex forums. The picture shows what BMW might have planned for diesels in the U.S. in next couple of years.

Starting next year, the 3-Series sedan will bring back a diesel option in the first quarter. The second quarter BMW will introduce the 3-Series wagon with a diesel. In the third quarter, the 5-Series diesel will come out and will be followed by the new X5 diesel at the end of the year. For 2014, the 7-Series and X3 join in on the diesel fun.

What engines are in play with this plan? We know that a single-turbo 2.0L four-cylinder and a twin-turbo, 3.0L diesel inline-six are the two engines destined for the U.S. Car and Driver speculates the four-cylinder will go into the 3-Series, X3, and 5-Series, while the 7-Series and X5 go with the six.

When reached for comment by Car and Driver, BMW neither confirmed or denied the plans on the slide.

Share this comment

Link to comment

Share on other sites

I've never been an SUV kinda guy. I'd buy a B-body wagon before a truck if Albert would let me... but he won't drive it due to the size, so I can't. The only SUV, and I use the term loosely, that I would buy for myself would be the Avalanche.

Share this comment

Link to comment

Share on other sites

diesel 3-series wagon? That might be just enough to get me into a BMW.

why? station wagons are so uggg. I would rather have the same space in a CUV and sit up higher with a better line of sight.

I think this falls into the "different strokes for different folks" category. I would much rather have a sport wagon than a CUV. I like the handling characteristics of the wagon better and could care less about sitting up high.

BTW - where are GM, Ford and Chrysler with the passenger car diesels? I guess they are still convinced Americans won't buy them even though it is a pretty damn high take rate on VW/Audi. Let's hope the diesel Cruze sells well enough to change their minds.

Share this comment

Link to comment

Share on other sites

I've never been an SUV kinda guy. I'd buy a B-body wagon before a truck if Albert would let me... but he won't drive it due to the size, so I can't. The only SUV, and I use the term loosely, that I would buy for myself would be the Avalanche.

Share this comment

Link to comment

Share on other sites

diesel 3-series wagon? That might be just enough to get me into a BMW.

why? station wagons are so uggg. I would rather have the same space in a CUV and sit up higher with a better line of sight.

I think this falls into the "different strokes for different folks" category. I would much rather have a sport wagon than a CUV. I like the handling characteristics of the wagon better and could care less about sitting up high.

BTW - where are GM, Ford and Chrysler with the passenger car diesels? I guess they are still convinced Americans won't buy them even though it is a pretty damn high take rate on VW/Audi. Let's hope the diesel Cruze sells well enough to change their minds.

I agree with the Cruze, I hope the Diesel sells out so that it is heavily backordered and makes them rethink diesel.

In regards to the SUV versus wagon, I agree different strokes for different folks.

Then you would all be happy to give up a wagon if you had the Typhoon or Trailblazer SS? Those AWD SUV's totally rock for space and performance with a bit higher sitting line of site.

Similar Content

As a number of manufacturers are running away from diesel (and who can blame them), Chevrolet is running towards it with the introduction of the Cruze Diesel early next year. Now Chevrolet has announced pricing for the diesel variant.
The Cruze Diesel will begin at $24,670 for the six-speed manual and $26,270 for the nine-speed automatic. Like the previous Cruze Diesel, the new model will only be available in the LT trim which nets you LED daytime running lights, seven-inch infotainment system, and six-speaker audio system. The diesel will also get the optional Convenience package as standard - keyless entry, push-button start, power driver's seat, and heat for the front seats.
In terms of options, a leather package for $1,125 is available for both transmissions. The automatic also gets the option of the Sun/Sound/Confidence package. The 'too many words for a name' package adds a Bose nine-speaker audio system, an 8-inch infotainment system, a color screen for the trip computer, power sunroof, blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic alert. This package adds $3,680.
It should be noted this pricing is for the sedan. The Cruze Diesel hatchback isn't due till 2018.
Source: Car and Driver, Roadshow
Pic Credit: William Maley for Cheers & Gears

As a number of manufacturers are running away from diesel (and who can blame them), Chevrolet is running towards it with the introduction of the Cruze Diesel early next year. Now Chevrolet has announced pricing for the diesel variant.
The Cruze Diesel will begin at $24,670 for the six-speed manual and $26,270 for the nine-speed automatic. Like the previous Cruze Diesel, the new model will only be available in the LT trim which nets you LED daytime running lights, seven-inch infotainment system, and six-speaker audio system. The diesel will also get the optional Convenience package as standard - keyless entry, push-button start, power driver's seat, and heat for the front seats.
In terms of options, a leather package for $1,125 is available for both transmissions. The automatic also gets the option of the Sun/Sound/Confidence package. The 'too many words for a name' package adds a Bose nine-speaker audio system, an 8-inch infotainment system, a color screen for the trip computer, power sunroof, blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic alert. This package adds $3,680.
It should be noted this pricing is for the sedan. The Cruze Diesel hatchback isn't due till 2018.
Source: Car and Driver, Roadshow
Pic Credit: William Maley for Cheers & Gears

Last week, we brought forth the rumor the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles canceled plans for the upcoming Jeep Grand Wagoneer. The issue dealt with the Grand Cherokee/Durango's unibody platform could not be stretched out to accommodate the size of the vehicle.
Many of us here at Cheers & Gears along with some other outlets smelled something fishy with rumor. Wouldn't FCA think to consider whether or not the Grand Cherokee/Durango's unibody platform actually work for a larger model?
Automotive News has done some investigating into this rumor and has learned from supplier sources that the Grand Wagoneer has been put on hold. No reason was given by the sources as to why, but Automotive News has a theory and it comes down to money.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles doesn't have enough to work on this project. At the moment, the company is trying to relaunch the Alfa Romeo brand in the U.S., finish work on the redesigned Jeep Wrangler and Ram 1500, and launch a Jeep Wrangler pickup. There is also the retooling of FCA's Sterling Heights, MI and Toledo, OH plants to get them ready to build more SUVs and pickups.
FCA could build the Grand Wagoneer at their Jefferson North plant — home to the Grand Cherokee and Durango production. But the plant isn't setup to build a long-wheelbase model, which means more money has to be spent. Money that FCA doesn't have.
Like our story from last week, Automotive News floats the idea of the Grand Wagoneer possibly using the Ram 1500's platform
We'll end this piece with the last lines of Automotive News' story as it sums up the choice FCA has to make.
"If covering FCA for a decade has taught me anything, it is that the company has its own internal Occam’s razor: If there are two choices, and one is cheaper and easier, that’s the choice FCA will make.
Let’s see if that’s the case with the Jeep Grand Wagoneer."
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

Last week, we brought forth the rumor the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles canceled plans for the upcoming Jeep Grand Wagoneer. The issue dealt with the Grand Cherokee/Durango's unibody platform could not be stretched out to accommodate the size of the vehicle.
Many of us here at Cheers & Gears along with some other outlets smelled something fishy with rumor. Wouldn't FCA think to consider whether or not the Grand Cherokee/Durango's unibody platform actually work for a larger model?
Automotive News has done some investigating into this rumor and has learned from supplier sources that the Grand Wagoneer has been put on hold. No reason was given by the sources as to why, but Automotive News has a theory and it comes down to money.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles doesn't have enough to work on this project. At the moment, the company is trying to relaunch the Alfa Romeo brand in the U.S., finish work on the redesigned Jeep Wrangler and Ram 1500, and launch a Jeep Wrangler pickup. There is also the retooling of FCA's Sterling Heights, MI and Toledo, OH plants to get them ready to build more SUVs and pickups.
FCA could build the Grand Wagoneer at their Jefferson North plant — home to the Grand Cherokee and Durango production. But the plant isn't setup to build a long-wheelbase model, which means more money has to be spent. Money that FCA doesn't have.
Like our story from last week, Automotive News floats the idea of the Grand Wagoneer possibly using the Ram 1500's platform
We'll end this piece with the last lines of Automotive News' story as it sums up the choice FCA has to make.
"If covering FCA for a decade has taught me anything, it is that the company has its own internal Occam’s razor: If there are two choices, and one is cheaper and easier, that’s the choice FCA will make.
Let’s see if that’s the case with the Jeep Grand Wagoneer."
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

Stumbled across this story on the BBC that shows that 4 major cities will have a ban on all diesel auto's and Trucks by 2025.
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-38170794
Paris
Mexico City
Madrid
Athens
These four cities are implementing complete bans on Diesel to improve air quality. Campaigners are pushing to have London Diesel free also by 2025. Very interesting read, plus I see they are converting more roads into bicycle lanes only. Bummer but the future is an ICE free future for many cities